The split was because they halved the Galashiels-Edinburgh frequency by stopping the hourly Carlisle buses at Gala. This was the easiest way to keep the 30 min frequency between Gala and Hawick.

I suppose they could re-time the services to run as a through bus and add a separate Gala-Hawick on the half-hour, it might be useful to provide a low floor bus on the short with coaches only on the through bus.

The main problem with competing against the train is the slow journey times in comparison; 50 minutes on the train or 1h30+ on the bus in peak times. First really were rubbish in the region but it was inevitable that the Edinburgh-Gala route would take a hammering when the rail line re-opened. I guess the biggest issue is the traffic in Edinburgh, it is a very slow city to get through and the X95 takes 30 minutes plus to do the 5 miles from the city centre in the peaks.

I can remember when the X95 as able to do it in around just over an hour and that only back 10 years. But the traffic within Edinburgh and the roadworks linked to the new trains never helped. What is surprising is the train now take same amount of time the bus nearly managed years ago.

I can remember when the X95 as able to do it in around just over an hour and that only back 10 years. But the traffic within Edinburgh and the roadworks linked to the new trains never helped. What is surprising is the train now take same amount of time the bus nearly managed years ago.

A LOCAL bus firm is introducing all mod cons for passengers in the Borders.

Borders Buses are currently trialling the latest high-spec vehicles across a number of popular routes.

As well as introducing airline executive-style seating, USB charging stations, dimmable LED lighting and fold down tables, several of the vehicles have sky roof ceilings and wireless bell pushes.

Feedback from passengers will determine what the future fleet will look like.

Nicola Morrison, director for West Coast Motors, said: “We continuously strive to offer an affordable and comfortable travel option and have been overwhelmed by the level of feedback we have received from our loyal customers.

“Our bus routes are shaped around customer demand, and the next obvious step is to ensure the vehicle types and facilities both on and off-bus also meet with our customers travel requirements and expectations.

“From customer research we recognise comfort, luggage space and the use of technologies such as WiFi and USB charging stations is important, especially on longer distance journeys.

“With this in mind, we are trialling several bus and coach types on key lines of route to establish if those vehicles provide our customers with a compelling alternative to car or rail.”

During the summer Borders Buses - which is owned by West Coast Motors - carried out a series of drop-in sessions and also issued feedback surveys to better understand customers’ travel requirements and make improvements.

Over the past couple of weeks they have trialled a number of their high-spec vehicles, including an Enviro400 City double decker and an Irizar i6 coach.

A full review of all routes is being conducted by Border Buses with more vehicles expected to be tested over the coming weeks and months.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, transport spokesman for Scottish Borders Council, told us: “I’m delighted to hear Borders Buses continues to invest in its fleet, and look forward to seeing these high-spec vehicles in operation across the region.

“This announcement is further proof of West Coast Motors’ commitment to providing an improved bus service for the Borders, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them to achieve this aim.”

The Enviro400 City vehicle was tested for two weeks on service X62 - Melrose to Edinburgh via Peebles - and X70 - Peebles to Edinburgh - as a demonstrator vehicle on loan from bus manufacturer, Alexander Dennis.

The Enviro400 has airline-style seating, seat backs fitted with wireless bell pushes, USB stations, dimmable LED lights and fold down tables. The spacious upper deck has fixed tables and a sky roof ceiling.

The Irizar i6 is a high-end coach, now owned by Border Buses, which has been operating service X70 - Peebles to Edinburgh - and the Carlisle to Galashiels section of service X95.

It is a low emission coach offering free WiFi and designed for customer comfort .

Border Buses will also be launching a mobile app this month allowing users to access bus times, buy tickets and track their bus using a live tracking system.

I wonder what the majority of the customers will go for? A better question has to by is why couldnt First done something like this? there being out done by a small independent local bus company, with fingers in lots of pies.

I wonder what the majority of the customers will go for? A better question has to by is why couldnt First done something like this? there being out done by a small independent local bus company, with fingers in lots of pies.

They probably got Borders at a very good price, so they can afford to do so.

Are Borders still using the Charlesfield garage, as well as Berwick and ex-First Gala? If so, is it expected that the operation will continue to need all three? With two of them being reasonably close, maybe a third if needed would be better rather closer to Edinburgh.